Sheptock, Boley Win Titles at Midlands

Maryland Athletics

12-30-2013

EVANSTON, Ill. –Jimmy Sheptock and Christian Boley took home titles at the 51st Ken Kraft Midlands Championships at Northwestern University Monday night. Sheptock took down Iowa’s Ethen Lofthouse to win the 184-pound title, while Boley ran past Braden Atwood of Purdue to claim the crown at 197 pounds.

The pair’s wins propelled the Terps to an overall team finish of sixth, with a total of 68.5 points. The double titles were the Terps’ first at the Midlands since 2009, when Alex Krom took home the title at 141 pounds. Maryland has never had two champions at a single Midlands Championships.

"Today was a great day for our program," head coach Kerry McCoy said. "Jimmy and Christian did a great job. Spencer wrestled well and overall, our guys did a good job. We are really close to being a top team and in March, we'll be there."

In the 184-pound title bout, Sheptock and Lofthouse wrestled methodically for all three periods, with neither competitor registering much offense. Lofthouse notched an escape in the second period, with Sheptock returning the favor in the third.

With the score tied 1-1, the match entered the sudden death period. The Terrapin senior was able to bring Lofthouse down with a single leg shot, adjust to the Lofthouse's roll-through, and secure the winning takedown and a 3-1 win.

Sheptock’s victory over Lofthouse was his fourth over a ranked opponent this season and third over a top-10 foe. The All-American’s best previous finish at the Midlands came last year when he came in fifth.

Boley continued his recent strong run of form, coming back to defeat the fourth-seeded Atwood. Down 3-1 in the second period, The New York native used an explosive move to register a takedown and near fall in quick succession. A third round takedown sealed the title for Boley, who won by a final score of 9-5.

Earlier in the day, Spencer Myers dropped his semifinal match to Michigan’s Adam Coon, 4-1, before placing sixth overall at the tournament. The junior also finished sixth at the 2011 Midlands.

Maryland’s team finish tied for its highest in all-time at the tournament. The Terps also took home a sixth place finish in 2009.

The Terps return to the mat in dual action on the road against Michigan. Action is scheduled to being at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 5.